In view of the concern over the increasing number of Delta Variant cases in Manipur, director of Health Service department K Rajo on Saturday said the virus is more prevalent in the air, and easier for it to spread, and therefore, wearing of masks at home and staying at proper ventilation rooms may become compulsory. He urged the public to follow Covid appropriate behaviour, while raising serious concerns that Delta Variant cases have been increasing in the state.
With the initiation of house-to-house testing drives in the state, the rate of positive cases has been increasing as many people who were earlier hiding in their homes had to come out and take the tests.
From July 10 to 16, a total of 11,469 persons from 6,000 households were tested, during which 1211 tested positive. The increasing rate should not be a cause for worry as early detection and treatment will be able to combat the disease.
He informed that the team from the Ministry which visited the state had recommended conducting press briefings. He said that till today, 82,688 positive cases have been detected in Manipur, while 7315 have recovered with the total active cases standing at 9,033 and fatality count at 1,360.
Informing that a total of 9,89,283 tests have been done so far, he said that the state government along with the Health department are initiating the required measures to combat the pandemic. However, the positive rate is increasing and therefore, the public as well should understand the gravity of the situation, he added.
To combat the disease, the state government has been increasing the intake capacities of Covid care centres and non functional Covid care centres are bedded to make them functional again. Even the Covid care centres at the district hospitals have started functioning, he said.
He informed that in 2021, a total of 995 (646 males, 349 females) people have died so far.
The rate of people dying of commodities is also high with 61.5 per cent while fatalities without comorbidities stand at 37.78 per cent.
He further said that only four persons have died while being treated under home isolation. Month wise, the maximum number of death cases was recorded in May 402 fatalities. In June, 343 deaths were reported while from July till today, 200 deaths have been recorded. District wise, Imphal West has the highest number of Covid fatalities while Pherzawl has zero death cases. At hospitals, JNIMS has recorded the highest number of deaths with 288 and RIMS has recorded a total of 258 deaths.
According to IDSP studies, from April to June, a total of 776 deaths were found. Of 492 death cases, 410 were found to be non-vaccinated persons while tracing their backgrounds.
Some people have blamed home isolation as a cause for the increase in the number of positive cases but the conditions for home isolation are getting improved now as special essential items are being supplied and monitored by keeping a rapid response team, Rajo said.
From the state, initially, 19 samples out of 20 came positive with Delta Variant. Later, also 69 samples tested positive with Delta Variant and further, 118 of 120 samples were tested positive with Delta Variant. It is a very serious illness and its severity rate is very high, and transmission level also high, he said. The people need to become more careful and maintain Covid appropriate behaviour, he said.
In connection with reports of unauthorised testing kits for COVID 19 being sold, authorities concerned will take appropriate steps though the banning of selling testing kits has been announced in the state on June first week, he said.
He mentioned that if people follow Covid appropriate behaviour properly and efficiently, then combating the disease would become easier. He urged people to cooperate on state government initiatives and seriously follow Covid appropriate behaviours, and urged to get complete vaccination.
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